Shooting victim's friends, family protest judge's house arrest ruling

A group of protesters took to downtown Pittsburgh on Monday, demanding “Justice for Marshawn” after a judge allowed a teenager awaiting her homicide trial to serve house arrest.

Destiny Brown, 18, of Coraopolis, was 17 when police charged her in the May 24 shooting death of 19-year-old Marshawn Ptomey.

Judge Jeffrey Manning has allowed Brown to serve house arrest on electronic monitoring until her trial, which has been an unpopular decision among Ptomey’s family and friends.

“I won't get no grandkids. I don't get no more holidays. I don't get nothing. She gets to go home for Thanksgiving, and I get to go to the cemetery,” said Ptomey’s mother, Theresa Hobdy.

According to police, Brown confessed to shooting at Ptomey after he got into an argument with her 16-year-old friend.

Protestors said they fear Brown will try to attend Cornell High School in Coraopolis.

“Mrs. Brown is a threat to society and their community, and they need to know that. Keep those children away from her,” said Ptmoney’s friend, Jonathan Smith

Brown’s godmother, Kimberly Zeklet, said she will likely take classes online due to threats she’s received.

“I don't want to rock the boat anymore, but I don't think two lives should be ruined,” said Zeklet. “She definitely did not do this intentionally. This is a clear case of self-defense, and I really hope her jury will see this.”

Manning said judges often allow juvenile defendants to serve house arrest while awaiting trial.

Charlie Morton pitched five-hit ball for seven innings, Neil Walker hit a review-aided home run and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 Sunday in a testy game in which benches cleared after All-Stars Andrew Mcutchen and Brandon Phillips were hit by pitches.